MOBILE, VERSATILE, TRANSPARENT, DOUBLE-SIDED DATA INPUT OR CONTROL DEVICE

• US 20200133483A1
• Filed: 10/21/2019
• Published: 04/30/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Christie Scott Wall
• Original Assignee: Christie Scott Wall
• Inventors: Wall, Christie Scott
• Granted Patent: US 11,086,516 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0221 Arrangements for reducing keyboard size for transport or storage, e.g. foldable keyboards, keyboards with collapsible keys G06F3/0216 takes precedence; for keyboards integrated in a laptop computer G06F1/1666
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0231 Cordless keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0233 Character input methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0238 Programmable keyboards key guide holders G06F3/0224
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04812 Interaction techniques based on cursor appearance or behaviour, e.g. being affected by the presence of displayed objects
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus

Abstract

A mobile, versatile, transparent, double-sided data input device is described. The data input device includes a programmable, virtual keyboard with ergonomic benefits. The data input device includes a double-sided transparent touchscreen which provides keyed input and/or trackpad input to a separate computing device such as a mainframe computer, desktop computer, laptop, tablet, netbook, notebook, personal digital assistant (PDA), gaming console, e-reader, smartphone, or smartwatch by way of a wired or wireless connection, and includes control devices, such as a remote controller for gaming and/or control of one or more vehicles.

Claims

1. A data input/output device comprising a double-sided, transparent touchscreen.

2. The device of claim 1 comprising one or more frame or handle in operable communication with the double-sided transparent touchscreen.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the one or more frame or handle comprise one or more hardware comprising one or more processor and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the one or more hardware comprise one or more input/output circuitry for providing a wired or wireless connection to a separate computing device and/or other controllable device, such as a controllable electronic device.

5. The device of claim 3, wherein the non-transitory computer readable storage medium has an application configured for performing a method comprising:

graphically displaying one or more keys on one or both sides of the double-sided transparent touchscreen;

receiving input from the one or more keys displayed on the one or both sides of the double-sided transparent touchscreen; and

communicating the input to a separate computing device and/or other controllable device by way of the wired or wireless connection.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein communicating the input to a separate computing device or other controllable device provides typed input on a screen of the separate computing device or other controllable device.

7. The device of claim 3, wherein the non-transitory computer readable storage medium has an application configured for performing a method comprising:

providing one or more area of the double-sided transparent touchscreen with trackpad functionality;

receiving touch input in the one or more area of the double-sided touchscreen with trackpad functionality; and

communicating the input to a separate computing device or other controllable device by way of the wired or wireless connection.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein communicating the input to a separate computing device or other controllable device controls a cursor on a screen of the separate computing device or other controllable device.

9. The device of claim 7, wherein the input is communicated to a separate computing device or other controllable device by way of a wireless connection comprising WiFi, Bluetooth, infrared, and/or or radiofrequency.

10. The device of claim 7, wherein graphically displaying one or more keys on one or both sides of the double-sided transparent touchscreen comprises graphically displaying:

a first set of keys comprising alphanumeric keys at a center portion of a back side of the double-sided transparent touchscreen; and

a second set of keys comprising non-alphanumeric keys at a peripheral portion of the front side of the double-side transparent touchscreen.

11. The device of claim 7, wherein providing one or more area of the double-sided transparent touchscreen with trackpad functionality comprises providing the center portion of the front side of the double-sided transparent touchscreen with trackpad functionality such that the second set of keys are peripheral to the center portion of the front side of the double-sided transparent touchscreen.

12. The device of claim 10, wherein the first set of keys are provided in a split and inverted QWERTY format.

13. The device of claim 3, wherein the non-transitory computer readable storage medium has an application configured for performing a method further comprising:

providing a graphical display of one or more key layout choices on the double-sided transparent touchscreen; and

receiving input on the double-sided transparent touchscreen which allows a user to select from the one or more key layout choices; and

graphically displaying the key layout selected by the user on the double-sided transparent touchscreen.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the key layout choices comprise Latin or non-Latin characters, key size, key spacing, key position, gaming console layouts, remote control layouts, or any combination thereof.

15. The device of claim 7, wherein the separate computing device or other controllable device is one or more of a mainframe computer, desktop computer, laptop, tablet, netbook, notebook, personal digital assistant (PDA), gaming console, e reader, smartphone, smartwatch, an audio-visual device, a digital display device, an electronic display device, a remote controlled vehicle, including cars, boats, sports utility vehicles (SUVs), helicopters, airplanes, drones, and/or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

16. The device of claim 3, wherein the non-transitory computer readable storage medium has an application configured for performing a method further comprising:

graphically displaying one or more keys on a first area of the double-sided transparent touchscreen; and

allowing a user to select the one or more keys on the first area and move the selected keys to a second area of the double-sided transparent touchscreen by way of touch input.

17. The device of claim 3, wherein the non-transitory computer readable storage medium has an application configured for performing a method further comprising:

graphically displaying a string of typed input in a window on one or both sides of the double-sided transparent touchscreen.

18. The device of claim 3, wherein the one or more hardware further comprises a graphics processing unit (GPU).

19. The device of claim 3, wherein the one or more hardware are in operable connection with each other by way of circuitry comprising one or more computer bus architectures providing data sharing, addressing, and power.

20. The device of claim 3, wherein the one or more frame or handle further comprise an internal power storage, input/output ports, ports for receiving an external power source, a headphone jack, and/or one or more port capable of connecting a credit card slider or receipt printer, or any combination thereof.

21. The device of claim 3, further comprising one or more sensors capable of detecting when the device is lifted or is being lifted.

22. The device of claim 21, wherein the one or more sensors capable of detecting when the device is lifted or is being lifted comprise one or more pressure sensors disposed on one or more sides of the device or its double-sided transparent touchscreen.

23. The device of claim 21, wherein the one or more sensors capable of detecting when the device is lifted or is being lifted comprise an accelerometer.

24. The device of claim 3, wherein the non-transitory computer readable storage medium has an application configured for performing a method comprising:

disengaging input from the first and/or second set of keys displayed on the double-sided transparent touchscreen;

receiving input from the one or more sensors capable of detecting when the device is lifted or is being lifted; and

upon receipt of said input from the one or more sensors capable of detecting when the device is lifted or is being lifted, reengaging input from the first and/or second set of keys displayed on the double-sided transparent touchscreen.

25. The device of claim 3, wherein the non-transitory computer readable storage medium has an application configured for performing a method further comprising:

reducing a brightness level of the first and/or second set of keys displayed on the double-sided transparent touchscreen;

receiving input from the one or more sensors capable of detecting when the device is lifted or is being lifted; and

upon receipt of said input from the one or more sensors capable of detecting when the device is lifted or is being lifted, increasing the brightness level of the first and/or second set of keys displayed on the double-sided transparent touchscreen.

26. The device of claim 3, wherein the one or more frame or handle comprise an impact resistant casing material.

27. The device of claim 26, wherein the impact resistant casing material is removable and interchangeable.

28. The device of claim 27, wherein removal of the impact resistant casing material provides access to the one or more hardware within the one or more frame or handle.

29. The device of claim 3, wherein the double-sided transparent touchscreen comprises one or more rounded sides.

30. The device of claim 3, wherein the non-transitory computer readable storage medium has an application configured for performing a method comprising:

receiving input from one or more modifier keys; and

changing one or more key characters to display new characters available upon receipt of said input from the one or more modifier keys.

31. The device of claim 3, wherein the data input device is capable of scanning barcodes.

32. The device of claim 3, wherein the data input device is capable of use as a mobile point-of-service screen for retailers or restaurants.

33. The device of claim 3, wherein the data input device is only capable of data input to a separate computing device or other controllable device and does not have any other computer functionality.

34. The device of claim 3, wherein the data input device is capable of communicating with another device by way of a network protocol comprising IP, TCP/IP, UDP, or ICMP.

35. The device of claim 3, wherein the data input device is capable of receiving a software update by way of the network protocol.

36. The device of claim 3, wherein the data input device is sized such that the device is capable of fitting in a briefcase.

37. The device of claim 20, wherein the internal power storage is a rechargeable battery.

38. The device of claim 3, further comprising an auto off timer capable of turning the device off when the device is not in use for a defined period of time.

39. The device of claim 3, wherein the non-transitory computer readable storage medium has an application configured for performing a method comprising:

receiving input from the one or more sensors capable of detecting when the device is lifted or is being lifted; and

turning the device on upon receipt of said input.

40. The device of claim 3, wherein the double-sided transparent touchscreen is shatter resistant.

41. The device of claim 3, wherein the data input device is capable of being used with headphones to receive audio from the separate computing device or other controllable device by way of the wired or wireless connection.

42. The device of claim 5, wherein the application is configured to allow:

a user to touch a virtual key to render the key movable to another position; and

re-locate and/or re-arrange the virtual keys anywhere on the screen or to any number of pre-set locations on the screen.

43. The device of claim 5, wherein the application is configured to allow:

a user to touch a virtual key to invert the key such that the key is de-activated on one screen and activated on the opposing screen.